Colonial baby names

If you were a little boy in colonial times, you might have played with a feather-filled leather ball, shot marbles or spun tops. Little girls played with dolls made of rags and cornhusks and sewed samplers. And you may have had an unusual name, such as Adonijah or Reason.

Colonial names are no longer in fashion, but there are some real gems for those willing to take a closer look. Check out our list of colonial names for boys and girls.

Colonial boy names

The names given to colonial boys were often religious and of Hebrew origin. This list shows just how unusual some of the male monikers those centuries ago.

• Abiel – Hebrew, God is my Father
• Absalom – Hebrew, Father of Peace
• Adonijah – Hebrew, The Lord is my God
• Alden – English variant of Aldwyn, Wise Friend
• Amias – French, Loved One
• Asa – Hebrew, Physician
• Azariah – Hebrew, God Helps
• Constant – English, Steady

Colonial Fact: Children worked because it was a sin to be lazy.

• Ebenezer – Hebrew, Rock of Help
• Eleazer – Hebrew, God has helped
• Eliakim – Hebrew, God will develop
• Emory – English, Brave
• Enoch – Hebrew, Dedicated
• Gideon – Hebrew, Great Warrior
• Hezekiah – Hebrew, God is my Strength
• Isham – English, From the iron man’s estate

Colonial Fact: Baths were taken in a big wooden tub of water in front of the fireplace. 

• Jedidiah – Hebrew, Beloved of the Lord
• Jehu – Hebrew, Jehovah is He
• Lemuel – Hebrew, Devoted to God
• Nehemiah – Hebrew, Comforted by God
• Obadiah – Hebrew, Servant of the Lord
• Phineas – Hebrew, Oracle
• Zadok – Hebrew, Just
• Zephaniah – Hebrew, The Lord has concealed

Colonial Fact: Mothers and fathers slept in jack-beds, which were not long enough for their bodies.

Colonial girls names

Some of the names given to colonial girls were familiar traditional names, such as Alice or Eliza, but many of the names were virtuous. These mostly English and French names are based on desirable character traits and their meanings are self-explanatory.

• Charity
• Comfort
• Constance
• Deliverance
• Experience
• Grace

Colonial Fact: Families of boys who attended school had to pay the schoolmaster and did so in corn or other food.

• Hephzibah
• Increase
• Mercy
• Patience
• Piety
• Prosperity

Colonial Fact: Children drank beer... even for breakfast!

• Prudence
• Reason
• Remember
• Thankfull
• Truth
• Temperance

Colonial Fact: Coasting down snowy hills on sleds was against the law. 

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